Training Dhamma school teachers

Plans are afoot to train Dhamma school teachers on a continuous basis so that it will lead to a generation of disciplined teachers who are well versed in the Dhamma.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake called for the assistance of the Mahasangha in this regard, to prepare a detailed programme based on residential training for Dhamma school teachers.

He called on all officials to provide whatever support required for the implementation of such a programme. The Prime Minister told this to a group of bhikkhus who visited his office to present 10 volumes of Pali Attha Katha translated into Sinhala by Kirama Vimalajothi Thera.

The Thera said that it was the first time that a set of Pali Attha Katha volumes had been translated into Sinhala. He stressed the importance of translating them into English as well, and said such a move would benefit a large number of people, both here and in other countries.

Water shortage, looming crisis

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the world to put the looming crisis over water shortages at the top of the global agenda this year and take action to prevent conflicts over scarce supplies.

He reminded business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum that the conflict in Darfur, Sudan was touched off by drought and he said shortages of water contribute to poverty and social hardship in many other areas.

"Population growth will make the problem worse. So will climate change. As the global economy grows, so will its thirst. Many more conflicts lie just over the horizon," Ban said.

He said a recent report identified 46 countries with 2.7 billion people where climate change and water-related crises create "a high risk of violent conflict" and a further 56 countries, with 1.2 billion people "are at high risk of violent conflict". The report was by International Alert, an independent peacebuilding organisation based in London.

"There is still enough water for all of us - but only so long as we can keep it clean, use it more wisely, and share it fairly," Ban said. He said he will invite world leaders to "a critical high-level meeting" in September to focus on meeting UN development goals - including cutting by half the number of people without access to safe drinking water by 2015 - particularly in Africa.

"We must mobilize world opinion and focus political will," he said. "What we did for climate change last year, we want to do for water and development in 2008".

Kandy being spruced up for SAARC Summit

The Government has decided to hold the 15th SAARC Summit in Kandy from July 27 to August 3. Officials have been instructed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to ensure the completion of the Kandy city development project in time for the summit.

The development of a new road network is envisaged for Kandy, in order to facilitate the delegates and visitors that will arrive in this historic city for the SAARC conference.

The SAARC leaders' meeting and several other special discussions are scheduled to be held at the Pallekele Buddhist Centre while special cultural pageants will be held at the Peradeniya University premises. Arrangements are also being made to provide special train services from Colombo to Kandy in view of the summit.

Around 1,000 delegates from the neighbouring SAARC countries are expected to attend the summit, while media personnel numbering over 300 are expected to arrive in the country to provide coverage to the event.

More scholarship winners

The conclusion of the seventh annual presentation of Ceylinco 'Pranama' scholarships by Ceylinco Life has brought the number of scholarships awarded by the life insurance company to 857.

Another 104 scholarships to students who sat for the GCE Advanced Level Examination in 2007 are to be presented later due to the delay in the release of their examination results.

Students from all parts of the country, school principals, teachers and parents participated in the award ceremony at the BMICH recently.

Ceylinco Life has to date awarded Pranama scholarships worth Rs. 30 million, making a significant contribution towards motivating future leaders, one of the key objectives of the programme.

Scholarships were presented to 50 policyholders' children who achieved best results in their respective districts at the Year 5 scholarship examination in 2006 and 2007, to 23 who sat for the GCE Ordinary Level in 2006 and to 10 who excelled at national level in sports, culture, arts, drama or invention.

Ceylinco Life also presented special cash awards to students who achieved the highest marks islandwide in physical science, biology, commerce and arts at the 2007 GCE (A/L) examinations whether or not they were the children of policyholders.

Cultivation of jak plants

The jak tree (kos) holds a prominent place in the lives of most Sri Lankans, especially those in rural areas. It provides food and wood for human beings, while its leaves are fed to animals.

There was a time when jak trees dotted the length and breadth of the country, but most have now been cut down as wood and to make way for development projects. But there are encouraging signs once again with the Department of Agrarian Development deciding to implement a project to cultivate jak plants in the Galle district.

A nursery comprising 8,000 young plants has already been set up to supply the young plants required for the project. The Department will distribute these saplings free among the cultivators.

The project is expected to minimise the deficiency which has been caused by the cutting of old jak trees.

Appreciate the loved ones in your life

The calendar is dotted with many special days right throughout the year and hardly a week passes by without some event or other being observed. There isn't much awareness about some of these days and events, but this cannot be said for Valentine's Day.

Almost everyone, young or old, in urban or ruarl areas, have heard about this special day which is universally dedicated to love. The day celebrated on February 14 needs no introduction.

Although Valentine's Day is celebrated in Sri Lanka mostly as a day for lovers, in most countries, it is celebrated by sending greetings and sharing gifts among friends, family, relations and all loved ones.

Love is precious and beautiful, and is a gift that should be shared among people, whether young or old.

The origin of this day is traced to Saint Valentine, the 'patron saint of love', and follows both Christian and Roman traditions. There are many legends surrounding St. Valentine although none are confirmed. One says that Valentine was a priest in Rome during the third century.

The then Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage as he believed that single men made better soldiers than married men with families. Valentine took pity on the young couples and married them in secret, defying the orders of the Emperor, who ordered that Valentine be killed.

Another legend says that Valentine was sentenced to death for helping Christians escape the harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured.

Though the accuracy of these stories is not confirmed, St. Valentine has always been portrayed as a sympathetic, heroic and romantic character. By the middle ages, he was one of the most popular saints in England and France. So, the day for love is observed in his memory.

You also have many loved ones in your life - parents, siblings, friends and relatives. Why not show your love to them on this day by presenting them with a simple hand-made gift or card? They are sure to appreciate it more than any expensive gift.